Vacuum-tank feeder



Aug. 30, 1927.

c. J. FERGUSON VACUUM INVENTJR fiymm k 7 27770 TANK FEEDER Filed Jan. 19. 1926 m IVEYS 'IIIIIIIIIII :1 11111:" IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII'I/ Patented Aug. 30, 1927.

UNITED srArss PATENT OFFICE,

eARL J. FERGUSON, or GENEVA, New YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 WILLIAM s. JOHNSON, or

SYRACUSE,

NEW YORK.

' vAoUUM-rAN- EEDER;

Application filed January This inventionrelates to a device for controlling the feed of liquid fuel from the mainta ning areserve supply of fuel for use in case the main supply should become exhausted. V

In most-of the machines now in common use the fuel feed pipe extends through a suitable-gland in'the top of the supply tank to apoint in proximity to the bottom thereof with a suitable inlet'in or near the bottom ofthe feed pipe to allow the liquid fuel to flow from any level above the bottom to the-vacuum tank or carburetor under the, suction of the engine and the main object of. the present invention is to constructthe portion ofthe feed pipe within the tank in such manner that-it-may be adjusted tov different-positions; oneposition for cutting off the supply from any level inthe tank, another-position for supplying... the liquid fuel from the'tank down'to a pre-determined level some distance above the bottom of the tank whereby a definite quantity of the. fuel maybe reserved to allow the machine to be driven a reasonable distance where the fuel may be replenished and athird position 111 which practically the entire fuel supply may be exhausted fromthe tank, all ofsaiol adjustments being made'through the medium of the single member operable from apoint external to'and preferably abovethe top of thetank. v

Other objects and uses relatingto specific parts of .the device, will be brought out in the following description. I I.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a-top plan ofa portion of a fuel supply tank and adjacent portion of my improved controllin-gdevice in operative position thereon. I Figure 2 is a vertical'sectional view taken on lineQ-Q, Figure 1, except that the central portions of the tank and adjacent p0rtions of th'efeed tube are broken'away.

Figure S'is a horizontal sectional view taken in the plane of line -3'3, Figure 2.

Figures 4 and 5 aredetail horizontal sec tional views taken respectivelyin the planes of lines 4%, and {Se-5, Figure 2.

Inorderthat theinvention may be clearly uuderst fi d i. have showna portion of afuel rotation therein an 19, 19a. Serial .No. 82,336.

supply tank '1--'- which of the usual con struction is provided in 'its top wall with an internally-threaded opening 2 for receiving the lower reduced threaded endof a. hollow bushing 3. V

' The lower reduced end of the bushing 3 is, provided with a socket 4 in which is tightly secured the upper endof a tubular guide member 5 having its lower end extended downwardly 'to a point in close proximityto the bottom .1 of the tank 1 and tightly closed by a plug -5..

Thisguide tube 5 is provided at or near its .lower end iwitha fuel inlet opening '7 just above the plug 6 but'in relatively close; proxi nityto thebottom of the tank ,1,,' said tube being alsoprovided at. a higher level with an additional fuel inlet. opening 8 .which may be termed the reserve level for the reason-that it is used .as theprimary inlet for the fuel from the tank to the engineiunder normal .run ning conditions whenthe lowerv inlet 7+ is closed thereby assuring a reserve equal to the volume in the. tank between the two levels in case the fuel :inthe' tank becomes exhausted to the upper level. v

The bushing 3 is tightly screwed in the opening '2+ in-the tube of the tank and carries the main .tube 5- so that both of those parts may be removed or replaced by simply unscrewing or screwing the bushing 3 from and into the top'of the. tank ,1. a V r The bushing3 is provided in its upper end with an internally threaded socket 9 in. which is screwed the lower reduced threaded end ofa head -10 having its upper end provided with an internally threaded socketfor. receivingan elbow nippi e {11 forming a partof the connection between the fuel controlling device and" vacuum tanker carburetor of an internal combustion engine, notshown. Y V A tube 12-is telescopically and TO: tatably mounted within the main tube'5-' to extend from the lower opening 7 through and some distance above the bushing ,3 and head.10 and hasits upper end seated'i-nasocket '13-' in the lower end oftheelbow ni aple llfor relative d also to permit relative rot tion of the elbowconnection thereon upper end of theli ad ilk: spy-e rided with an iuternally-threaded socket in which is screwed the lower reduced threaded end of the elbow 1 l as shown in Figure This extension of the upper end of the tube 1Q- into the elbow 1ltogether with the screwing out the lower end of the elbow in the upper end of the head --10 around the tube assures a liquid and airtight joint at the junction.

The upper end of the bushing 8 is reduced in diameter to form an annular shoulder and upon this reduced end is tightly secured a disk -1 l preferably concentric with the tubes -5 and --19. and bushing -3 said disk being provided with a semi-circular slot le for a purpose presently described,

The upper reduced end of the bushing -43 extends some distance above the disk -fleland into an annular recess or socket in the lower end of the head 10 which is rotatable relatively to and upon the bushing -3- for turning the tube -12- relatively to and within the main tube -!i--.

The inner feed tube --l2- is provided n ar its lower end with an opening 7 adapted when turned to one position to reglater with the opening 7- in the outer tube and is also provided at a higher level with an additional opening -8 adapted to register with the opening --S in the tube 5 when turned to a different position.

In other words, the openings --7- and T'- are at one and the same lower level while the openings -8- and -8 are arranged at one and the same higher level, both sets of openings being so relatively arranged that when those of one set are open those of the other set will be closed or both sets may be closed by the angular adjustment of the inner tube -12- to a neutral position shown in Figures l and a.

As previously intimated the inner tube -12 is tightly secured to and within the head -1(l to rotate therewith relatively to the outer tube -5 and bushing 3- and also relatively to the elbow l1.

The means for effecting this angular adjustment of the inner tube consists in this instance of the collar 16 splined by means of a key l7 upon the periphery of the head --10 and provided at one side with a handle -1S-- lying closely adjacent the upper face of the disk -l4- but extending beyond the periphery thereof for convenience of manipulation.

The handle portion 18- of the collar --16 is provided on its underside with a stud l9-- extending into the slot -1at oi. the disk --1l-- for limiting the angular movement of the heat -10- and tube -12 carried thereby.

A locking pin -20 is also secured. to the underside of the handle portion -l8- at the collar --16 for engagement in an aperture --E2l in the underlying portion of the plate 1 l for locking the head 1()-- and tube 1Q- in their central or neutral positions against angular i'norement.

The axial distance between the upper face of the plate -14 and a flange -l3-- on the elbow -11 which engages the upper face of the head -10 is somewhat greater than the axial length of the collar -16 to permit said collar to be moved axially or up ardly from its norn'ially locked position for withdrawing the pin 20- from its aperture -2l and thereby permitting an gular movement oi. the collar -16 and tube -12-- in either direction from its neutral position.

0 partition.

For example, when the collar 16-- is adjusted to its neutral position the handles -18- and locking pin 2l together with the stop pin 19* will be substantially midway between the ends oi the semi-circular slot l t-- under which conditions both of the a peraturcs 7- and 8 will be out of registration with their companion apertures -7- and -5 respectively in the outer tube 5-- thereby cutting oil the fuel supply from the tank to the engine, the looking pin -Q0- being then engaged in the aperture -2l and more or less concealed from View to prevent malicious opening of the fuel supply from the tank to the tube -12-.

Now when it desired to operate the niotor vehicle the collar .l(3--- is first drawn upwardly sulliciently to disengage the locking pin 20- from the keeper 2l-- and is then rotated toward the left hand of Figure 3 until the pin 19- engages the corresponding end of the slot 141 at which time the fuel inlet opening 8- will be registered with the opening -8- to allow the flow of the fuel from the tank into the tube -12- at the upper level indicated by the line l4.

This level may be termed the minimum normal running but it through inadvertence the level of the fuel should fall below the level of the registering openings -8 and S- there will still be left a sul'licient quantity in the tank below that level for a considerable period of operation of the engine.

Under these conditions the collar -16- and head -l0 together with the tube -19 may be adjusted to the right hand of Figure 3 until limited by the engagement of the stop pin --1S) with the corresponding end of the slot 1 lat which time the opening 8- will be moved out of registration with the opening 8 and the open ing 7=" will be moved into registration with the opening thereby-cutting ofl th'e su-pplyof fuel from the upper level and turning on the supply atthe lower level=indicatedby line 5-fifth us permitting prac be exhausted. c y

It is evident however that when thefuel supply falls below the upper level requ1rtically theentire fuel content of the tank! to ingthe adjustment of the valve tube +12 to connect the interior of the tube with the lower-'level the operator willin allprobability seek replenishment of the fuel tank from'the nearest service station at which time the fuel supply atthe lower level will having means *for securement tothe toprwallof a liquid container and provided witha tube adapted 'to extendinto the-container to a level near: the bottom thereof and openat the bottom, an additional tube extending through'the-fii'stenamed tube to the level of the lower end thereof and having its lower end closed and its upper end extended some distance beyond the top of the first-named tube, a nipple loosely fitted over and upon the upper end of the innertube'to permit said inner tube to be rotated relatively to the outer tube and nipple, said tubes being provided with separate sets of aperatures at different levels, those of each set being adapted to register with each other and to de-register those of the other set when the inner tube is adjusted rotarily to different positions, and means operatively connected tothe inner tube between the bushing and nipple for rotating the inner tube.

2. A vacuum tank feeder comprising a bushing adapted to be secured to the top of 'a liquid container and provided With a tube adapted to extend into the container to a f level near the bottom thereof, anadditional tube extending through the first-named tube, said tubes having separate sets of apertures at different levels, those of each set being adapted to register witheach other by the relative rotation of the inner tube to different positions, the inner tube being extended some distance beyond the upper end of the bushing, a nipple loosely fitted over and upon the upper end of the inner tube in spaced relation to the bushing for connection with a vacuum tank and permitting relative rotation of the inner tube, a head having screw connection with the bushing and with the nipple and secured to the inner tube to rotate the same, a rotary and axially movable collar operable at will and splined' upon the head to transmit rotary motion thereto, a keeper plate fixed to the head and provided with an aperture, a'locking pin on the collar adapted to enter said aperture in thewkeeper' platefor holding the collar and innertube opera-ted thereby in neutral positionv whentjhe collar is'adjusted axially in one direction and for releasing' sald collar when the-latter. is moved in an: opposite di rection.

3': A vacuum tank feeder comprising a bushingadapted to-be secured to the top of align-id container andprovided with a tube adapted to extend intov the container to a 7 "1QQl.l 'lfll"tl1 bottom thereof, an. additional tube extending through the first-named tube,

said tube having separate sets of apertures atdi lferentlevels, those of each set being adapted to register with each other by the relative rotation of the inner tube to'difterent positions, the inner tube being extended some distance beyond theupper end of the bushing, a-nipple loosely fitted over and upon the upper end of the inner tube in spaced relation to the bushing for connection with a-vacuum tank and permitting relation rotation ofthe inner tube, a head having screw connection with the bushing and with the: nipple andsecured to the inner tube to rotate the same, a rotary and axially movable collar operable at will and splined upon the head to transmit rotary motion thereto, a keeper plate fixed to the head and provided with an aperture, a locking pin on the collar adapted to enter said aperture in the keeper plate for holding the collar and inner tube operated thereby in a neutral position when the collar is adjusted axially in one direction and for releasing said collar when the latter is moved in an opposite direction, and cooperative means on the keeper plate and collar respectively for limiting the rotary movement of the collar to and from its neutral position.

4. In a vacuum tank feeder, a bushing adapted to besecured to a liquid container, a tube having one end secured to the bushing and its other end adapted to extend into the container, an additional tube extending through the first-named tube, said tube being provided with separate sets of apertures at different levels, those of each set being relatively movable into and out of registration with each other by the rotation of the inner tube to different positions relatively to the first-named tube, a nipple adapted to be connected to a vacuum tank and fitted loosely over and upon the upper end of the inner tube to permit relative rotation of said inner tube, and means operable at will for adjusting the inner tube rotarily to move its apertures'into and out of registration with the apertures in the first-named tube.

5. In a vacuum tank feeder, a bushing 1 adapted to be secured to a liquid container, a tube having one end secured to the bushing and its other end adapted to extend into the container, an additional tube extendin g through the first-named tube, said tube being no provitletl with separate sets of apertures at ditl'erent levels, those of" each set being relatively HKOWLlJlOlHtO and out of registration with each other by the rotation of the inner tube to (liti'erentpositions relatively to the tiret-namerl tube. a nipple atlapteclv to be conneetetl to a uleinnn tanl: and fitted loosely over ancl upon the upper entl of the inner tube to permit rel atire rotation of saitl inner tube, and n'ieans operable at will for adjust inn: the inner tube rotarily to move its apertures into antl out of registration with the aprturee in the first-named tube. and a collar operatirel connected to the inner tube between the nipple ainl bushing ancl adjustable rotaril r at will tor ri'itatine the inner tube.

6. In a vacuum tank teetler, a bushing adapted to he FttCHlOtl to a liquirl container. :1 tube having; one enrl eeenretl to the bush in ancl its other einl atlaptecl to extend into the contain r. an arlrlitienal tube extending through the ti:-' t-naine(l tube. sairl tube being; provided with eeparate acts of apertures at clitl'erent levels-1 those of each set being: relatively movable into and out of. registration with each other by the rotation otthe inner tube to (litt'erent positions rela tivelt to the first-named. tube, a nipple adapted to be conneeteil to a vacuum tank antl fitted. looeel i over ancl upon the upper end. of the inner tube to permit relative rotation of saiil inner tube, ancl means operable at will :lor adjusting the inner tube rotarily to more its apertures into ani'l out: of registretion with the apertures in the first-named tube, and a collar operatively connected to the inner tube between the nipple and bushinn antl adjustable rotarily at; will for rohating the inner tube, a keeper plate secured to the bushing and woperative means upon the collar and keeper plate respectively for holding: the collar in a neutral position aejeinst rotary movement, sairl collar being adjustable axially to disengage saicl eooperatire means.

In witnees whereof I have hereunto set my hanrl this 9th (lay of January, 1926.

CARL J. FERGUSON. 

